Apparatus for extracting values from bodies.



Patented Feb. 6, 1917 nvron 4y W? R. L. OGDEN.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING VALUES FROM BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. 1916.

AZ d v BY JR/V1. Y 8

WITNESSES RICHARD LESLIE, OGDEN,

@FFMJE.

F RAHVVAY, NEW" JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING VALT JES FROM BODIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 19117.

Application filed September 22, 1916. Serial No. 121,590.

; ing Values from Bodies, of which the following Ian is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to continuously extract by leaching the soluble values of neutral bodies; to perform the above-mentioned operation at reduced cost; and to provide a prime mover for performing the mechanical part of the process automatically and inexpensively.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus of the character mentioned constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section of a feed valve employed by the prime mover used in actuatin the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing the latch for operating the valveactuating device.

Description.

As seen in the drawings,a suitable chemical-bearing body 8 isp'laced in a colander 9 upon a sieve bottom 10 therein. The sieve bottom 10 is supported in spaced relation to an inclined bottom 11 with which the said colander is furnished. The bottom 11 drains to a delivery pipe 12 which is controlled by a valve 13. The valve 13 is only used when the operation of the apparatus is initiated. After the operation has progressed, the valve 13 is opened and thcrcafter remains so. Liquid which passes through the pipe 12 is free to enter at all times the vat 14.

The solvent is delivered from the retort 15 through a pipe 16 which is (mcrativcly connected with one or more spray pipes 17. The pipes 17 are superposed over the body 8 so that the solvent delivered to the colander is evenly sprayed over the said body.

The nature of the solvent depends upon the nature of the body 8. In all performances of this apparatus itwill be understood that the solvent is suitably related to the soluble matter contained in the body 8.

The solvent is passed from the retort 15 to the colander 9 by pressure developed in the retort 1:1 by the operation of a float 18 in a closed tank 19. Thc upper portion of the tank 19 is sealed so that air pressures may be developed in the said upper portion. Thisp0rtion of the tank 15) is operatively connected with the retort 15 and is always held in open communicatioii by means of the pipe 20 which is utilized for equalizing the prcssures in the tank 15) and .the retort 15. The float 18 is elevated and depressed in the tank 19 in corres])ondcnce with the rise. and fall of the water 21 which is introduced thereto-near the bottom thereof from the pipe 22, which pipe is connected to a suitable source and the How through which is controlled by a valve 23.

The water 21 when introduced into the tank 19 operatcsa piston l'or compressing the air in the upper portion of the said tank.

The float 18 supports a rod 24 from which extend fingers 25 and 26 used for operating the valve 23 to open and close the same." The distance between the fingers 25 and 2G is varied and regulated to permit more or less water to enter the tank 19. The valve 23 has a head or washer 27 at the end of a plunger 28. The plunger 28 is operatively connected by a pin 29 with a weighted lever 30. The lever 30 is fulcrumed on the pin 31 and bracket 32. A weight 33 is mounted at the end of the lever 30 and is adjustable lengthwise thcreo't to regulate the closing pressure of the head 27 on the seat formed at the end of the outlet passage 34 ot the valve 23.

The free end of the lever 30, as shown best 'in Fig. 3 of the drawings. is held under a latch head 35 of the latch 36. To facilitate the oymration of the latch 36 and the lever 30, the said latch is furnished with a series of wheels 37 to form a pathway for the lever 30 when the same is forced down on the inclined plane formed by the said wheels, by a. finger 26. The finger 26 engages the lever 30 when the float 18 is near the bottom of the tank 19, and the said linger depresses the said lever sulliciently to pass under the latch head 35 prior to the float 1S engaging the bottom oi the tank .19.

In the position shown in Figs. 1. and 3 of the drawings, the head 27 is lifted and water is permitted to How freely through the valve 23 to the pipe 22 and thence enters the tank 19. The finger 25, as indicated in Fig. 3 ol the drawings, ascends in correspondence with the rise of the float 18, and passes over the shoulder 38 with which the head 36 is provided and in a position to engage the said shoulder. \Vhen thereafter the water 21 is drawn from the tank 19, the finger 25 in descending with the float 1S presses upon the shoulder 38 to rock the latch 36 on its pivot pin 39 until the latch 36 releases the lever 30.

The lever being thus released by the latch 10 36, the weight 33 rocks the lever 30 and seats the head 27 to close the outlet passage 34. Immediately the finger 25 is passed out of contact with the latch 36, the weighted end 40 rocks the latch to its initial position where i 15 it is stopped by the pin 41.

48 are supported rings 49 which guide the tube when lifted by the float 43. The chamber 48 is in open communication with the tank 19, an orifice being provided for I 3 this purpose;

To insure the lift of the float 43, the same is provided with a central chamber 51. The

chamber '51 normallyfholds the delivery end of the pipe 44 which'is raised above the bot- 35 tom of the tank 42 to a'height to overflow which the water in the tank 42 must have risen to a point where the float 43 is positively raised.

' The par use in this construction is to in- 40 sure the li of the end 47 from its seat closingthe orifice 46 and to establish a freer communication between the tanks 19 and 42. The supply of water through the orifices 46 and 50 is greater than the capacity of the 6 pipe 44, and so long as the water continues to pass from the tank 19 to the tank 42, the elevationof'the float 43 is insured.

After the water in the tank 42 has been drained to a level with the receiving end of 50 the pipe 44, the remainder of said water is drawn off by a small siphon 52, the receiving end whereof as seen best in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, is approximate to the bottom of the tank 42. Back flow in the pipes 16 and 53 is prevented by ball-check valves 54 and 55. Both valves are disposed at the entrance ends of the pipes 16 and 53 to freely admit the solvent 56 contained in the retort 15 and the solution 57 in the vat.

The vat 14 has a draw-off cock 58 and a sampling pet cock 5!). Attached to the pet cock 59 is a sight gage 60 for determining the height of the solution 57 and in some cases the color thereof. Samples of this so- Operation.

The colander 9 is first charged with the body 8 carrying the soluble values which are v to be extracted therefrom. The retort 15 is I then charged with a suitable solvent. If the solvent is to be heated, provision is made to that end. 7 The valve 23 if closed is now opened. The floats 18 and 43 are both at their lowest positions and the tube 45 is arranged to close the orifice 46.

When the water enters the tank 19, the air contained in the tank is trapped at the up er end thereof and is gradi... 'ly compressed Q y the rising water. The pressure in the tank 19 and the retort 15 is equalized by free communication through the pipe 20.

- When the pressure in the retort 15 is sufiicient the solvent 56 passes into the pipe 16, dis lacing the ball valve 54. The solvent is delivered from the pipe 16 to the distributing pipes 17 to be sprinkled over the body 8. The soluble component'of the body 8 is extracted therefrom. The liquid percolates through the body 8 and the perforations'n the sieve 10 to be gathered on the bottom 1 and delivered by the pipe 12 to the vat 14.

The air pressure in the 'tank 19 continuesx .to increase until the float 18 carries the fin- 05 gel 25 above the shoulder 38, and until the evel-of the water 21 in the chamber 48 rises above the upper end of the tube 45. The water then overflows the said tube and passes therefrom through the orifice 46m the auxiliary tank 42.

When sufficient water has thus passed through the tube 45 to raise the water level in the tank 42 to the point of buoying the float 43, the tube 45 is lifted and the end 47 moved from the orifice 46. The water 21 then flows rapidly into the tank 42, lifting the float 43 to its upper limit. \Vater now flows freely from the tanks 19 and 42 through the waste pipe 44, and continues to so flow until the tank 19 is completely emp tied and the water level in the tank 42 descends below the upper end of the pipe 44. The ofiice of the siphon 52 is now called into play, when the water remaining in the ta kl 42 is siphoned over to the pipe 44aand-tlie float 43 is permitted to se'ttletbzi point where the end 47 com'pletely closes the oiifice 46. 1,

Concomitant with the passing of the passes to a water 21 from the tank 19, the float 18, rod 2%, and finger 25 descend, the latter dropping the latch 36 to release the lever 30. This permits the weight 83 to close the valve 23. \Vhen the float 18 and parts connected therewith approach the lower extreme of their movement, the finger 26 engages the lever 30 to depress the free end thereof upon the inclined track formed by the Wheels 37. The latch 36 is deflected untilthe lever 30 position where the latch 36 may rock to dispose the head 35 above the said lever 30. Vlfiththe opening of the valve 23, the filling operation of the tank 19 reoccurs.

The eli'ect of the compression of the air by the introduction of water into the tank 19, has been mentioned. \Vhen the Water is drawn from the tank 19, the compressed air is rarefied due to the displacement of the solvent 56 in the retort 15. 57 fills the vat 14, air pressure is avoided therein by providing the escapement pipe 63. When now the above-noted rarefaction occurs the solution 57 is drawn over by Way of the pipe to the retort 15 until the quantity of liquid in said retort is substantially that which said retort initially contained.

It will be noted that this action is in the nature of respiration. This automatically continues until the attendant by sampling or otherwise, detects the completion of the operation. when the valve 23 is maintained closed and the solution is decanted from the vat H.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for extracting soluble constituents from solids comprising a container" forsolvent; a container for soluble bodies: a container for solution; means for operatively connecting said containers in serif/dim for establishing a circulation of liquids progressively in the order named under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentioned and secondmentioned containers, and said thirdmentioned and first-mentioned containers, said pipes being provided with check valves for controlling the flow through said pipes in one direction only; and'means for alternately increasing and decreasing the atmospheric pressure in the first-mentioned container.

2. An apparatus for extracting soluble constituents from solids comprising a container for solvent; a container for soluble bodies; a container for solution; means for operatively connecting said containers in sari/dim for establishing a circulation of liquids progressively in the order named under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentioned and secondanentioncd containers, and said thirdmentioned and first-mentioned containers, said pipes being provided with check valves As the solution.

for controlling the How through said pipes in one direction only; and means for alternately increasing and decreasing the atmospheric pressure in the first-mentioned container, said means embodying an air compressor in open communication with said first-mentioned container, and means automatically operable in correspondence with said compressor for increasing and reducing the pressures therein alternately.

3. An apparatus for extracting soluble constituents from solids comprising a container for solvent; a container for soluble bodies; a container for solution; means for operatively connecting said containers in serz'atz'm for establishing a circulation of liquids progressively in the order named under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentioned and second-mentionedcontainers, and said thirdmentioned and first-mentioned containers, said pipes being provided with check valves for controlling the flow through said pipes in one direction only; an air tank in open communication with said first-mentioned container; a Water piston for said air tank; means operable by said piston for suspend ing the operation of said piston; and means for reciprocating said piston in said tank for increasing and diminishing the pressure in said first-mentioned container successively.

4. An apparatus for extracting soluble constituents from solids comprising a container for solvent; a container for soluble bodies; a container for solution; means for operatively connecting said containers in serz'atim for establishing a circulation of liquids progressively in the order named under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentioned and second-mentioned containers, and said thirdmentioned and first-mentioned cohtainers, said pipes being provided with check valves for controlling the flow through said pipes in one direction only; an air tank in open communication with said first-mentioned container; a water piston for said air tank; means operable by said piston for suspending the operation of said piston; and means for reciprocating said piston in said tank for 4 able by said float.

5. An apparatus for extracting soluble constituents from solids comprising a container for solvent; a container for soluble bodies; a container for solution; means for operatively connecting said containers in .vm'iafim for establishing a circulation of liquids progressively 1n the order named second-mentioned containers, and said third- 1 under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentloned and mentioned and first-mentioned containers, sa d pipes being provided with check valves for controlling the flow through said pipes in one direction only; an-air tank in open communication with said first-mentioned container; a water piston for sald an tank;

means operable by said piston for suspending the 0pc 'ation of said piston; means for reciprocating said piston in said tank for increasing and diminishing the pressure in said first-mentioned container successively, said means embodying a float, an auxiliary tank, said auxiliary and air tanks having open communication, and a valve controlling said communication, said valve being operable by said float; and means for continuing liquids progressively in the order named under suitable conditions; a plurality of pipes connecting said first-mentioned and second-mentioned containers, and said thirdmentioned and first-mentioned containers, said pipes being provided with check valves for controlling the flow through said pipes in one direction only; an air tank in open communication with said first-mentioned container; a water piston for said air tank; means operable by said piston for suspending the operation of said piston; means for reciprocating said piston in said tank for increasing and diminishing the pressure in said first-mentioned container successively, said, means embodying a float, an auxiliary tank, said auxiliary and air tanks having open communication, and a Valve controlling said communication, said. valve being operable by said float; and means for continuing the flow of water from said auxiliary tank after the communication between said air RICHARD LESLIE OGDEN. 

